I’m on the hunt I’m after you Scent and a sound. I’m lost and I’m found And I’m hungry like the wolf.

The cage door slammed shut, but didn’t actually click closed, she’d jammed the rigging with a wad of gum. Joey was the only one left in the cage with Simone and she didn’t say much. In fact, Simone hadn’t heard her speak since they’d gotten here. Joey watched everything and missed little. Simone knew Joey watched her relentlessly, she chose her moment. She grabbed the wood she’d picked up after the big fight that splintered a chair and slipped out of the cage quietly, while the others were busy. She crept up the stairs ducking into alcoves and behind tapestries when necessary. Ever vigilant for the chance to strike. She knew what lived here, she wasn’t romanticized by them at all. She knew how monstrous vampires were. They’d killed her family, ripping them into pieces. She saw the cute girl standing alone on the second floor balcony, she was dangerous more dangerous than the men because she would suck you in with her innocence and then the next thing you knew you were nothing but a dried up husk. Simone tapped her on the shoulder and plunged the stake in as the girl turned, blood seeped around the wood. The girl dropped to her knees, and fell backward onto the ground. Simone dragged her to a nearby alcove where she propped her against the wall. Simone pulled the curtains and continued her journey. Simone felt no guilt and no remorse at what she’d done. It was no less than that deserved. Even if they weren’t the ones that killed her family they were still vampire, and *that* was enough for her. She listened for any signs of life and heard heavy foot falls she ducked behind another tapestry and waited holding her breath until the couple passed. She stepped out from behind the heavy curtain and very quietly walked up behind them driving the stake between ribs and into the heart. She heard the girl scream as the man went down, while she was hurrying away back toward the dungeon. She knew if they caught her she’d be killed. She changed course and headed for the guest rooms by way of the kitchen, snatching food off a cart as she went. She tossed the hoodie into the fire. She moved through the halls and finally found what she was looking for. An abandoned room, where the smell of mold was almost overpowering, she walked in and locked the door behind her, sat on the floor and contemplated her next move as she ate.

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And may you grow to be proud Dignified and true And do unto others As you’d have done to you

Chloe left the dungeon no closer to choosing her prey then she’d been two nights ago. She knew the others had chosen and removed their picks, and were even now getting acquainted with their choices. She knew the others would be feeding, sating hungers of every kind. She also knew that unless she made a choice she would not. Not tonight anyway. It was too late to go into town, hunt, feed, alter memories, and get back before the sun rose. She could call on Seth or Alexei, but she knew they had too much on their plates already, besides they were now part of someone’s herd. She’d seen Jenna leaving with the red haired fighter, and stopped to chat with her for a few moments before she begged off feeling like a fifth wheel. She’d crossed him off her mental list, not that he’d actually been a contender to begin with.

Be courageous and be brave And in my heart you’ll always stay Forever young, forever young Forever young, forever young

As far as the vampires went she was the baby of the group. The newest vampire and the youngest chronologically as well. Her birthday and deathday were the same. She’d been celebrating her 21st when she’d hooked up with a guy who’d taken her, then taken her life. He’d been beautiful beyond words and a smooth talker as well. Chloe had fallen right into his trap. Now she was forever young. The girls liked it because they used her innocent face to draw guys in. Even now decades later they would do it still. She didn’t think they saw her as what she’d become they still saw the little kid. So did she when she looked in the mirror. Now she stood on the balcony looking over the main floor that was eerily silent and waited hoping she’d run into someone she could talk to.

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A last fire will rise behind those eyes Black house will rock, blind boys don’t lie Immortal fear, that voice so clear Through broken walls, that scream I hear

Jenna wandered through the dungeon. her eyes moving over the men. She’d never had a problem hunting before, but this was very different from hunting. This was going to the grocery store and picking your cellophane wrapped meat from the chilled display cases. There was no fun or excitement in it. This should have been easy for her. It should have been second nature. It wasn’t. Every now and then she’d stop to ask questions, wait for the answers and move on. She came to the end of the row, she’d met these guys already. She’d been the one to heal their wounds from the fight. The red-head, Aiden, had been on her mind since. She found herself wondering if his blood was tasted different from the others she’d been with. He was not her usual choice, her usual choice tended toward business men and doctors. More disturbing was the other things she wondered about him. How would he feel beneath her..above her..in her..her eyes darkened to a hunter green. She stood outside his cage and motioned him over. She’d been drawn to his blood even as she patched him up. Something she’d never had a problem with before.

While Jenna was talking with Aiden, Chloë was on her third trek through the corridor. The first had been two nights ago when she’d gone in full hunting regalia; pigtails; a short, strapless, sparkly, babydoll dress that hit mid-thigh; black thigh high stockings and black patent leather Mary-Janes. Her face was made up to enhance the innocence of her appearance, pink lip stick with just a hint of shine, matching pink nail polish, long eye lashes that made her large green eyes even bigger, and barely there blush and eye shadow completed the appearance. Most of the men had gone silent and stared when the very young-looking little girl walked through down the center aisle perusing them with the indifference of a distracted child. She sang softly..creepily in a child’s tone a nursery rhyme that resonated in their heads. The only thing missing from the picture was a teddy bear tucked under her arm. Her look verged on Anime cartoon.

Blue masquerade, strangers look on When will they learn this loneliness? Temptation heat beats like a drum Deep in your veins, I will not lie

The next time she came down she was dressed much the same way only in very dark colors. Her eyes were lined in black kohl, she wore a dark blue leather mini-dress black leather thigh high boots with 4 inch heels, and dark red lips. Her eyes were bright and shining under a fringe of black and blue streaked lashes, she’s painted her nails black and blue, added blue streaks to her pigtails and wore dark almost garish blush. Again she sang this time the theme from The Lost Boys, again in a child like tone that the boys heard in their heads rather than through their ears. She stopped this time at the different cages and peered in with a blank stare that was eerie coming from the child-like face. She listened to the comments they made aloud and in their heads.

Tonight Chloë wore her hair down, she was unrecognizable from the little girl they’d seen the past two nights, one innocent and sweet. The other playing dress up in a goth’s nightmare. She’d taken time to style her hair leaving it hanging down her back. She wore a faded denim miniskirt, and a black sweater that, while accentuating her assets, covered her very well. Her face was made up to give her a natural appearance. She wore combat boots and black wool socks and wandered through listening to the men’s thoughts. The smile on her face was bright and the singing was in her normal singing voice. This time resonating from within and without. She watched them as she walked down the corridor making eye contact and even stopping to talk occasionally.

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Boys:
[Edward stops, looks at Damien] I feel like the fucking White Rabbit. You know, all “I’m late, I’m late”.Boys:
[Damien smiles at Edward] Relax. They’re not going anywhere. This is Sangria.Girls:
[Sang bursts out laughing] Which is so much better than “We all float down here.”Boys:
[Edward smiles at Sang] It’s nice to meet you and, yes, I guess it really is. I’ll leave that one to Glen and Dom.Girls:
[Sang smiles] Nice to meet you.Boys:
[Damien looks at Edward] I’m going to show her the towers. I took Aubrey, too.Boys:
[Edward looks relieved] Oh, thank god. Tell me what I’m in for.Boys:
[Damien smiles] Well, you missed out on the quiet little redhead that Lucien took because she told him he *needed* to take her.Boys:
[Edward smiles] Damn. She’s going to regret *that*.Girls:
[Sang shakes her head, still smiling] The other one…Taryn…she’s pretty quiet to, prone to giggling when she’s super nervous.

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Boys:
[in other parts of the castle, Alexei takes Lia and Bree to get cleaned up while Genja heads back upstairs with Ava and Eden to oversee Em]Girls:
[Ava looks at Genja, smiles] That was interesting.Boys:
[Genja looks at Ava, smiles] Liked that?Girls:
[Ava nods]I totally did. [smiles] Wow.Girls:
[Eden looks at Genja] Intense.Boys:
[Genja nods] I like Sorrow. He has a way with getting what he wants subtly.Girls:
[Ava nods] I noticed that. And he was just matter of fact about it all.

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Boys:
[Sorrow heads up the stairs, the shadows receding from the dungeon in his wake and following his path, to Ryan] Lord Byron doesn’t consider himself a “bird”. He believes he is a human soul trapped inside a bird’s body.Girls:
[Renee smiles and looks at Ryan, and glances over at the very large bird] I think we *all* hope that.Boys:
[Ryan arches a brow, looks at Byron] Oh. Well.. in that case, I apologize. [nods to Ren] Seriously.Girls:
[Devon looks at Sorrow, quietly] I wouldn’t mind helping to take care of him. [smiles] I think he’s awesome.Boys:
[Sorrow looks back at Ryan, smiles] He really is a big fucking bird, though, isn’t he? [looks over at Devon, smiles] I’m sure he’d enjoy that.Boys:
[Ryan laughs, nods] The biggest I’ve ever seen in my life.Girls:
[Renee quietly to Sorrow] Where did you find him?Boys:
[Sorrow smiles as he walks up the stairs] I found him in a tree among a murder of crows who were waiting for a deer that had been hit by a truck to die on the side of the highway as I was making my way to Boston. I tend to be somewhat enamored of omens and all things dark and foreboding so I pulled over and called him to me.Boys:
[Sorrow shrugs] He didn’t like me much at first, but he got over it rather quickly.

Girls:
[Renee blinks] You called him? Wow.Boys:
[Sorrow looks at Renee, smiles again] Lord Byron doesn’t like to be.. controlled.Boys:
[Sorrow nods] That’s one of my many talents, but definitely not my best.Girls:
[Renee laughs, Devon smiles] Well that much is kind of obvious. The way he flew through here. Does he …bite the hand that feeds?Boys:
[Sorrow nods to Devon] Most certainly. When that hand is mine, especially. [looks at her] He needs my blood to sustain him, you see. So, it is actually in his best interest to bite me and he does so. Rather often.Girls:
[Devon nods] Good to know.Boys:
[Ryan frowns] At the risk of regretting this.. what *is* your “best talent”. Aside from the obvious.. virility factor. [looks over at Sorrow] Oh, and nice handling of the king, by the way.Boys:
[Sorrow smiles as they reach the ground floor] Let’s take Byron outside for some exercise and I’ll show you. [nods to Ryan] Pay attention, younger version of me, and you’ll learn a lot about “handling” the vampires.Boys:
[Edward heads through the hall on his way to meet Em as Sorrow heads to the doors, Sorrow] Edward? [nods toward the massive renaissance doors leading to the courtyard, Edward rolls his eyes and the doors swing open, Sorrow smiles] Thank you. [Edward nods and heads up the stairs]Girls:
[The girls look over, then at the door, Devon smiles and Renee blinks, Devon] Sweet. Suddenly I feel rather…[smiles]vanilla.Girls:
[Renee nods] Seriously.Boys:
[Ryan watches the doors, stares after Edward] What the hell?Boys:
[Sorrow smiles and heads out the doors] That was Edward. He can move things with his mind. He can also hear everything we’re saying right now. And while mundane tasks such as door opening mildly annoys him, why walk when you can fly? These are extraordinarily heavy doors.Boys:
[Ryan arches a brow, walks outside with Sorrow and the others] Vanilla isn’t a word I’d choose. Minuscule, however, *does* come to mind.Girls:
[Devon softly] He’s painfully pretty. [Devon nods] Yes. That. [Renee smiles and looks at Sorrow] Amazing.Boys:
[Byron takes off as soon as they step outside, Sorrow looks over at Renee] You’ll find that most of what we do here is rather dramatic, but, hell, what’s the point of being impressive if you aren’t going to impress anyone? [smiles] And I am about to impress the hell out of you.Girls:
[Renee smiles] I can’t wait.Girls:
[Devon nods] Me either.Boys:
[Sorrow smiles wickedly as storm clouds and thunder roll across the sky] I hope you don’t mind getting a little.. wet. [the sky opens up and torrential rains blanket the surrounding area]Girls:
[Devon laughs] Oh my god!Boys:
[Ryan blinks, moves back onto the porch] Did you….? [laughs] Holy shit.Boys:
[Sorrow looks at Ren] Wait for it.Girls:
[Renee moves closer to the rail]Girls:
[Renee turns her face to the rain]Boys:
[after a few seconds, several bolts of lightning dance across the courtyard ravaging the ground, Sorrow smiles again] And there it is.Girls:
[Renee smiles, quietly] That’s awesome. [looks over at Sorrow as she goes to stand next to him] I love storms. I would watch them for *hours*.Boys:
[Sorrow nods, looks out across the courtyard] Rain and fog are my two favorite weather conditions. As vampires, we really are only limited by our imaginations. My imagination is less limited than the others. They tend to be constrained by the more well known powers we’ve been attributed with. And really, I mean, I can see it. Weather control isn’t something that immediately springs to mind when you’re considering a potential arsenal with which to defend yourself. But being a vampire isn’t just about surviving. It’s about being exceptional.Girls:
[Renee looks over at Sorrow, smiles] Which is why you chose us?Girls:
[Devon looks at Renee] What?Boys:
[Sorrow looks at Renee, smiles] Yes. And because you’ll get it. My mortician and coroner don’t fear death. In their particular line of work, they’re more likely to have a sort of twisted romance with it.Boys:
[Sorrow shrugs as the rain slows] And a certain reverence for it.Boys:
[Sorrow looks back across the courtyard] A certain.. respect.Boys:
[Ryan smiles] Appreciation?Boys:
[Sorrow laughs, nods] And apparently will be able to edit me.Girls:
[Devon smiles] Not to mention it makes for great conversation.Boys:
[Sorrow looks at Devon, smiles] Oh, the best. *Everyone* has a fascination with death. They just don’t like to talk about it or think about it because it terrifies them. [looks at Ryan] As far as controlling the weather goes.. there was a time when it was much more widely used. Particularly in times of kings and castles when knights and templars would march against nobles and baron’s on the king’s behalf. Or in times of angry mobs of villagers. Trust me.. I’ve thought a lot about this. A good storm can completely turn the tide of of a war *or* make for good cover when you find yourself having to.. relocate.. unexpectedly.Girls:
[Renee nods] I can see it. I can also see it being used to set the tone of certain events.Boys:
[Ryan smiles] And quell angry house fires when the mobs “drop” their torches.Boys:
[Sorrow nods] Exactly. [looks at Ren, smiles] That, too. Theatrics are much more important than they’re given credit for.

Girls:
[Renee looks over at Ryan and nods] Oh seriously. [smiles at Sorrow] As we saw tonight?Boys:
[Sorrow smiles at Ren] Yes. As you saw tonight. Tell me I don’t know how to make an entrance.Girls:
[Renee laughs] That you do.Girls:
[Devon nods smiling] Totally.Boys:
[Sorrow shrugs, pulls out his cigarettes and lights on] The difference between me and the other vampires is that I spent a lifetime thinking about it. Thinking about what it would be like to be one, what I’d do if I was. Romanticizing the hell out of it. And when I grew up and started writing, I put those ideas down on paper. The others never really considered it being caught up in their mundane little realities. I never had much use for reality. Until it finally caught up with my fantasies.Girls:
[Devon looks at Sorrow] So *this* is what you were born for?

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Boys:
[Alexei carries Eden into Genja’s room and sets her on her feet, locks the door behind him, looks back at her] Now go sit *down*.Girls:
[Eden shakes her head] I *don’t* want to be in here, Alexei. *Really*. [Puts her hands on her hips and clenches her jaw, and almost growls] And I’m sure *he* doesn’t want me here.Boys:
[Alexei looks back at her pointedly] He can *hear* you.Girls:
[Eden frowns] *He* can deal. If he’d told me himself what to expect..I wouldn’t have lost. my. shit.Boys:
[Alexei arches a brow] *This* is why he did it to you. [takes her by the shoulders, turns her around and pushes her forward] Now *go*.Girls:
[Eden walks over and stands by the chair crossing her arms over her chest]

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Emily made her way back through the vampires giving them the days gossip. She told Lucien in great detail what Genja had done to Eden and the ensuing drama that had occurred. She did the same for Sorrow, embellishing the details and giving long descriptions of the younger girl’s facial expressions, reactions and body posture. As she told the story, she swore she could feel the shadows moving around her like a light show. Emily smiled, “At least you’re listening.” She moved through the others rooms making sure to tell them she was there and what she was doing. For most she stood near the bed. With Lucien, Sorrow and Edward she perched on the side of the bed. For Edward she spoke very quietly, and when she touched him it was with the most gentle of caresses. She was barely able to tear herself away from them when it was time. They all looked so incredibly young and beautiful. They all had stories. Emily wanted to learn the stories, wanted to feel the emotions as they were told. She was utterly intrigued by them and if asked to choose she didn’t think she’d be able to.

Emily finally finished almost half an hour later than the arranged time. She went to Ava’s room and found her and Alexei already eating, Emily joined them. She told Ava about meeting the others and how they looked and smelled, she blushingly told Ava she peeked under the covers of all of them the second time around. Ava smiled and shook her head. Alexei hid his smile behind his glass. Ava gave Em the scoop on Genja. Eden woke as Ava was telling Emily how gentle he’d been with her. Eden looked at Ava like she was high, the recounted *her* night with the Vampire King. The contrast in the descriptions left Emily slightly confused. Where Ava used words like caring, thoughtful, kind and even generous. Eden described him as ruthless, cruel, unyielding, and insatiable. Ava laughed then. Eden and Emily both looked at Ava questioningly. Ava shrugged, “Some women *want* insatiable.” Eden told them in great and graphic detail of the first time he’d taken her..her first time she reminded them, then at Emily’s horrified look, moved on to the other times. Emily shook her head, “If it was so awful, why did you all but fall apart when you thought you’d killed him? Why did you break down in tears? I would have been counting my blessings and getting the hell out of there. You took the time to cover him and close his eyes.” Eden blinked and looked at Ava who shook her head, “Only you can answer that question, Eden. All I can do is give you the benefit of my experience, offer you advice and my thoughts on it. What you do with the information is your decision.” Eden nodded. Emily smiled, “I’m just wondering who’s going to pick me.” Ava smiled, “You’ll be chosen by someone who will be careful with you.” Eden laughed bitterly, “I never dreamed of rainbows and unicorns, but I didn’t expect it to be so.. so.. ” Eden shook her head, softly, “ugly either.” Eden burst into tears and fled the room for the bathroom. Emily looked at Ava, who shook her head, “It’s been rough on her. She didn’t sleep much and when she did it was fitfully. When she woke the first time I talked to her some about Genja’s expectations and told her how to behave to win favor. I just don’t know if she’s going to be able to pull it off.” Ava looked over at Alexei who nodded.

Emily shook her head, “I should start preparing myself as well for…the night ahead.” Emily swallowed twice. Ava covered her sister’s hand with her own, “Em. You’ll be fine. Relax and consider it an adventure. The King won’t let anyone hurt you.” Emily looked at Ava as she stood and headed for the door, speaking softly over her shoulder, “I’m not scared. I’m excited.” Emily smiled brightly at Ava, “My first time is going to be with a *vampire*. How amazing is that? How incredibly perfect?” Ava didn’t want to point out that Eden’s first time had been with a vampire also, so she simply smiled and nodded as Emily continued, “I’ll let you know who picks me.” Ava laughed and started to speak but Emily was out the door. Ava turned to Alexei and spoke softly, “She’s terrified.” Alexei nodded again as Ava stood to go see what she could do for Eden.

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Girls:
[Eden runs at break neck speed down the hall, her panic very evident]Boys:
[Alexei walks out of Em’s room and right into Eden’s path]Girls:
[Eden slams into him, stumbles back adjusts her path and takes off again muttering an apology]Girls:
[Emily watches brow raised]Boys:
[Alexei staggers back when Eden runs into him, watches her run off again, smiles broadly, to Em] The king is dead. Long live the king.Boys:
[Alexei summons Eden back]

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I thought I saw a man brought to life
He was warm, he came around like he was dignified
He showed me what it was to cry
Well you couldnt be that man I adored
You don’t seem to know, don’t seem to care what your heart is for
But I don’t know him anymore
There’s nothing where he used to lie
My conversation has run dry
That’s what’s going on, nothings fine Im torn
Im all out of faith, this is how I feel
I’m cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor
Illusion never changed into something real
I’m wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
You’re a little late, I’m already torn

Her body had been beyond used and abused, pushed to its very limits and even beyond. She’d been violently violated in ways she had never imagined she could be. This time was no different. He’d arranged her into position, on her side facing away from him, bottom arm stretched over her head held in place by one of his large hands. Her bottom leg held in by his leg, the top leg raised and bent at the knee, opening her to him, trapping her arm between her thigh and her body, the leg held in place by his other arm which was draped over it the hand clamped painfully on her breast, pinching her nipple hard. He pounded away at her, seemingly enjoying her agony. Every thrust felt as if his cock was wrapped in sandpaper. She just knew when she was finally allowed to stand her newly arranged insides would fall out. He’d gone at her so many times she’d finally lost count. She’d given up trying to speak to him between. The only sounds that came from the room were the primal sounds of the basest act one can engage in. As he thrust away at her, her eyes glazed over.

So I guess the fortune tellers right
Should have seen just what was there and not some holy light
To crawl beneath my veins and now
I don’t care, I have no luck, I don’t miss it all that much
There’s just so many things that I can’t touch, I’m torn
I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel
I’m cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor
Illusion never changed into something real
I’m wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
You’re a little late, I’m already torn. torn.

Eden couldn’t tell you exactly how long he’d been still, only that the pain suddenly stopped. He lay very still, as did she afraid any movement on her part would spur him back into motion, and the relief she felt was too great to warrant that. When the pressure of the tight holds he had on her body, were released, she knew something was wrong. Very gently, she disengaged from him. When she didn’t feel a hand clamp on her hip she knew he was fully asleep. She rolled off the bed and wasn’t surprised to find her legs unsupportive. Her body had betrayed her countless times already tonight. She looked over at the king, the man who had brutally used her and threw herself against the wall when she found him staring at her. When he didn’t reach for her she moved closer, frowning eyes that had all but glowed all night were now flat and lifeless. Eden bit back a scream, and her mind short-circuited, as she reached for the covers to hide his nakedness. She whispered, “I’m sorry.” She closed his eyes and shuddered at the coldness of him already. It was the next thought that kick started her brain into action. He was dead and inside her. She screamed and tore from the room.

There’s nothing where he used to lie
My inspiration has run dry
That’s what’s going on, nothings right, I’m torn
I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel
I’m cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor
Illusion never changed into something real
I’m wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel
I’m cold and I’m ashamed bound and broken on the floor
You’re a little late, I’m already torn

She raced naked down the hall to the room she shared with Ava, burst in, grabbed clothes and threw them on. She looked over at Ava. “I have to get out of here, he’s dead, I killed him, and they’ll kill me.” Eden’s voice rose exponentially with each word as hysteria kicked in, “I killed the King.” Ava had moved over to where Eden stood, “Eden…” Ava flinched as the door slammed and Eden raced down the hall. Ava ran for the door flung it open in time to see Eden disappear around a corner. Ava started to give chase but remembered what Alexei said about not being able to leave; the king would just summon them back, and breathed. She could still hear Eden’s screaming.